Workplace Access

When mobility is limited due to a flare-up of your symptoms, everyday movement can be a task. If you’re required to work on-site at an office or other place of work, you may encounter one or more of the following obstacles:

• Steps 
• Stairs 
• Slopes or ramps 
• Lifts with doors that close manually 
• Escalators

If you’re having to travel through multiple doors to get into your workspace, this can also be a challenge, especially if:

• They’re heavy doors
• They have timed access
• You need a key or code to open them

This is made even more complicated if you’re carrying things at the same time, such as a briefcase, a laptop or your lunch.

There are a number of strategies you can use to overcome your accessibility challenges in the workplace, including:

Seeking an alternative point of access 

If the main access route poses too many challenges for you on a daily basis, consider speaking with your manager or the workplace security team about gaining access to the building another way (perhaps via a back or side entrance that’s wider, or monitored by security guards that will be able to assist you).

Installing rails for additional support 

Installing safety rails along the main access route may be a solution if you find it difficult to maintain balance and would benefit from some extra support. There are, however, a few key things to consider before installation can take place:

1. Are the walls able to support a rail? 
2. Will the rails pose any obstacle or risk to others using the access route?

It’s important to take these factors into account to make sure installing rails wouldn’t put anyone else at risk or make the access route narrower for other people using the building.

If you feel rails would make your workplace more easily accessible, be sure to speak with the maintenance team or the building manager.

Adjusting the weight of fire doors 

If an internal fire door is particularly heavy, speak to your manager about adjusting its weight through the closing mechanism to help make your movements around the workplace that bit easier.

Buddying up 

Is there another team member who arrives to work at the same time every day? If getting into work is proving to be a challenge, buddying up with a colleague could be the solution — someone who can help you with carrying bags/equipment, navigating steps or ramps and operating doors or lifts.

Whilst motorised scooters can be great for increasing mobility and independence, there are a few factors you’ll need to take into account before using your motorised scooter in the workplace. 

1. Will your scooter require charging while you’re at work? If so, is there a safe space at work for you to do so?
2. Is the floor strong enough to support the weight of the scooter?
3. Are the access routes wide enough for you to easily and safely manoeuvre within the workplace?
4. If you need to take the lift to access your place of work, will your scooter fit in the lift? 
5. Where will the scooter be stored when you’re not using it? Is there a safe space? 

Accessibility also needs to be taken into account when thinking about the emergency evacuation process for your workplace. In the case of an emergency, a number of challenges can crop up, so it’s always best to be prepared. Think about: 

Are you able to alert others? 

If you’re required to use a fire alarm, telecom or other communications device to alert others to the risk of fire, is this something you’re able to do? 

Are you able to open and close fire doors?

If this is a particular challenge for you, speak with your manager about adjusting the weight of the doors to make them easier to open and close. 

What is your method for evacuation?

If you currently enter and exit the building via a staircase, is this something you’ll be able to do at speed during an emergency situation? 

If you currently use a lift to access the building, is there a viable alternative exit route for when the lift is out of action during an emergency evacuation? 

Do you have access to an evacuation chair?

Whilst this can be a good solution for safely evacuating a building, there are a few things you should think about so that you can be prepared for any emergency situation. 

• Are you able to comfortably (and quickly) get in and out of the chair?
• Have your colleagues been trained on how to operate the chair and support you in using it?
• Is there enough space on the stairs for you to safely use the chair? 

If your workplace doesn’t have an evacuation chair installed, it may be that they’re able to fit an emergency skid pad on the staircase. Before using this, you’ll need to consider the impact on your joints. If it’s likely to cause harm, you should seek an alternative solution. 

If you’re concerned about being able to safely evacuate your workplace during an emergency situation, it might be worth discussing a personal evacuation plan with your employer.

If you’ve been balancing your career and your condition for a while, you’ll likely be familiar with some of the challenges that come with maintaining comfort at work.

Taking comfort breaks can be uncomfortable and stressful, and arthritis can remove the social aspect from enjoying refreshments with colleagues and instead make it an isolating experience.

When it comes to taking a comfort break at work, some of the obstacles you might face include:

• Battling through multiple sets of doors to access the WC (often at least one door will have an automatic closing device, which can make it heavy to open)
• Struggling to move comfortably in small cubicle spaces, with narrow doors and no room for bags or coats
• Facing a long walk to the toilet (in some workplaces, especially manufacturing, the toilet can be a reasonable distance from the workstation)
• Struggling with stiff locks on bathroom doors, or having to use the facilities in a cubicle that doesn’t lock
• Having to use public toilets (if travelling with work)
• Having to use facilities that haven’t been designed with accessibility in mind (for example, the toilet seat is too high/low, the flushing mechanism is awkward to reach or stiff to use, the taps and wash basin aren’t at an accessible height, or are stiff and difficult to operate)

Solution 

If you’re struggling with accessibility in and around your workplace, you should begin by raising the issue with your employer.

Be sure to highlight the specific areas/facilities that are presenting a challenge and highlight any potential solutions that could rectify the issue.

As someone living with a disabling health condition, you are protected under the Equality Act 2010, and your employer has a duty of care to ensure you have equal access to necessary equipment and services within the workplace, including toilet facilities.

Your employer is also required by law to make reasonable adjustments where possible that will allow you to work comfortably and efficiently.